Mapping India’s alcohol

Haryana's mango wine Scientists at the Central Institute of Subtropical Horticultural Research in Lucknow have developed a wine made from mangoes, which they hope may one day compete with the traditional grape-based varieties. Meanwhile, Nirvana Biosys, a Haryana-based company, is all set to launch India’s first branded mango wine. Those in the know claim it works well with spicy Asian food.Shelf life: Medium (two months)

Rajasthan's royal liqueurs Royal Heritage Liqueurs, backed by Jodhpur’s Maharaja Gaj Singh, distils a variety of unusual tipples including Royal Chandr Haas, a potent concoction of over 80 herbs, and a saffron-laced blend called Royal Kesar Kasturi. These amber-hued liqueurs marry well with both after-dinner cigars and the traditional lal mass.Shelf life: Medium (six months)

The Northeast's Apong A beer brewed with rice and millet called apong is the preferred brew in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. This pale ale has all the aromas of a pint of lager—minus the stale fermented flavours. Unlike its cousins from Tibet and Nepal, which are typically drunk warm, apong is served at room temperature.Shelf life: Very short (best consumed fresh)

Kerala's Le Rhum De Malabaricus Distilled from the waters of the Bharathapuzha River and a secret blend of Keralite herbs, Le RHUM is India’s most famous infused rum. The man behind it, a Kerala-based liquor bottler named Mohan Menon, was inspired by a 17th-century book on the medicinal properties of Kerala’s plants. Menon dedicated eight years to create this medium-bodied rum that stands as an ode to the region’s herbal heritage.Shelf life: Long

Goa's feni This tropical spirit, made either from cashew apples or coconut toddy and bottled at 42.8 percent alcohol, even has its own festival—the annual Coconut and Cashew Fest in Loutolim. Watered down with a lemon mixer, feni is the ultimate taste of Goa. Is it any wonder that this colourless (albeit odour-packed) liquid is the first Indian alcoholic beverage to boast Geographical Indication (GI) recognition?Shelf life: Long